Villain's POV: The Heroines Want Me!

After finishing his breakfast, Rize went back to his room and grabbed his luggage. Since he didn't really have that many belongings aside from some clothes, he only had one bag to bring with him.

"That is about it, I think… I don't have anything else I need, right?" He stopped and looked around him. He was simply searching for anything he might want. But he soon ended up losing himself in the memories.

This was the room he spent 10 years of his life in. He had studied here, slept here, and sat here to contemplate things. Every corner of it was filled with memories of things he experienced, and he would be lying if he said he wouldn't miss it dearly.

But he also felt all the more excited to finally leave and explore this magnificent world. His journey was truly about to start. This room was his home, and now he was about to leave his home and go on his own path.

"Thank you for everything… It was really nice spending time here. I don't know when I'm gonna come back here, but I'm definitely going to visit this place again in the future." He smiled faintly before he turned around and left, closing the door behind him.

Going down the stairs, he saw Geralt waiting for him at the door. He was leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed. He finally opened his eyes and looked at Rize.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"Yeah, I've brought everything." Rize nodded his head.

"Good," Geralt said before he finally pulled some things out of nowhere. "Here, the car keys, along with a smartphone that I already set up for you."

Rize took both and nodded his head. Smartphones in this world weren't that far off from Earth, but the difference was that they charged from the Essence in the air and didn't need to be plugged into electricity. They also had the same exact applications that Rize was familiar with; they were just under different icons and names.

"The phone already has money in it with a bank account under your name. However, just in case, here is some cash to use." Geralt said. "When you make it to the capital, head to the Royal Palace and show them this."

Then, the old man gave him a sigil, just like the one Rize saw all those years ago. It was a sigil that was slightly different from the one Geralt had, but Rize figured it was his pass into the Royal Palace.

"Put it around your neck so you don't lose it."

"Ok…"

Wearing the chain, Rize hid it under his shirt and tapped it.

"Good, when you make it there, they will tell you what to do exactly," Geralt said.

"Mhm." Rize nodded.

"Make sure to eat properly and keep your training going. Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you can slack off and not continue to practice and learn. You haven't even scratched the surface of the power in this world."

"Well, I'm sure I will learn a lot when I awaken," Rize said. "But I really don't know when I would awaken."

Since Rize was taken as an orphan, his date of birth was unknown, and even after researching, Geralt couldn't find any details about it. So, unlike most people, Rize truly had no idea when he might awaken.

It could be today, tomorrow, or a few months later. It was truly up to luck. But he wasn't worried about it.

It was going to happen sooner or later; he just had to be patient.

"Keep your eyes focused and let nature take its course," Geralt said.

"Mhm."

"And make sure not to anger Her Highness or His Esteemed Self. I have taught you how to behave around them."

"Yeah, yeah, I am aware, sir. I'm not stupid." Rize replied with a chuckle. "You taught me well; I won't disappoint you." He said with a determined and honest look on his face.

"..." Geralt stared at him with a stern look before his eyes slowly softened and he nodded. "That's all I have to say. Here and now, Rize, your training is officially done. I believe I have taught you everything you need to learn at your level. You have been hard-working and dedicated, and to that… I command your efforts."

Rize was shocked when he heard those words. 'Wait… Did he… Did he just give me a compliment?!' He felt like his head was about to explode.

This was the very first compliment he had ever gotten from Geralt. Usually, he would mostly say, 'You did well,' and then move on.

"Why are you looking shocked?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. It was… just the first time you complimented me."

"Hm, is that so?" Geralt replied. "I didn't notice."

'You haven't even said anything like this before; what do you mean you didn't notice, old man?!' Rize yelled in his head.

"But it is true, you were a good student. Now, I leave Her Highness in your care. Don't disappoint me, Rize. You must remember what I said."

"I won't. Just watch me."

When Rize said those words, Geralt suddenly stretched his hand forward. Rize looked at it and then at Geralt. The man had a proud look on his face, one that Rize hadn't seen before, and it hit him hard. The realization of that moment was like a train that smashed into his head. Geralt had lied…

This was their goodbye. The old man told him that 'he would see him later', but Rize realized that this man was just trying to make it easier to say goodbye. Later could well and truly be years down the line.

"..." Rize's lips quivered as he felt his eyes wet. "Ugh, you're cruel, sir."

"Stretch your hand and shake mine. Men don't cry." He said.

"Yeah, I know… *Sniff*" Rize nodded and then wiped his eyes. After that, he looked at Geralt and shook his hand powerfully.

"This world is cruel and unexpected, Rize. Don't let it corrupt or drag you down. Keep the princess safe, keep yourself safe, and help change this corrupt world."

"... I will, sir." Rize nodded.

"Now, go. Don't look back." Geralt said coldly as he tapped the boy's shoulder, pushing him forward. "And don't bother me again. I could finally have some peace and quiet."

"Hahaha…" Rize laughed. "Yeah, I'm going. See you later, sir…"

With that, Rize turned around and started walking to the car in a hurry. He knew if he looked back, nostalgia would hit him hard and he wouldn't be able to leave

Getting in the car, he turned it on and hit the gas, moving out of the forest onto the road. He didn't look back a single time during that. When he got far enough, he finally exhaled.

"I didn't know saying goodbye was this damn hard. Fuck." He cursed under his breath. "I'm glad he didn't make it harder on me. That old man probably knew…"

Watching the road pass by rapidly, all the memories Rize experienced in the past 10 years went by with it. All the training, the studying, the adventures in the forest. He had done everything he wanted to do and more.

Now, he was finally going to show the world what 10 years of brutal training would do.